The NYPD added 35 names of fallen cops to its Hall of Heroes wall during an emotional service at One Police Plaza in Manhattan on Tuesday.
“It is crucial that we have this ceremony and respect these names on these walls,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at the packed ceremony in the entrance to police headquarters.
“It is our responsibility to remind the world of these losses and to tell the stories of the heroes who bravely stepped into the fray, into the arena, to protect the city and serve its people,” she said.
The late officers whose names were added to the wall included those who died of illnesses linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
One of them was for Officer Nathalie Brill, whose mother, Marilyn Hill, attended the event.
“Actually, she was called the fixer,” Hill said of her daughter, who died of cancer at age 45. “If anybody had a problem, she would fix it. She was always looking to help everybody.”
Brill was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was linked to the attacks, in 2017.
Marilyn Hill, mother of Nathalie Brill, attended the ceremony that honored her daughter. William Farrington for NY Post
NYPD Commissioner Keechantt Sewell spoke at the ceremony honoring fallen heroes. William Farrington for NY Post“She fought it bravely, always with a smile,” said Hill, who attended the event with 13-year-old granddaughter, Marilyn’s child, by her side. “Never with depression or anything because she had her daughter she wanted to be around for.”
Hill said she believes that medical testing center closures during COVID hastened her daughter’s demise. Marilyn passed away June 2, 2021, leaving her daughter, Kacey Anne, and husband John behind.
“It was a very nice ceremony, and I was very happy she was honored,” Hill said.
Flower wreaths were provided at the ceremony honoring the fallen cops at One Police Plaza. William Farrington for NY Post
Thirty-five new names were added to the Hall of Heroes. @NYPDCeremonial/Twitter
Some of the officers added were those who died from illnesses linked to the September 11 terrorist attacks. @NYPDCeremonial/Twitter
Sewell added that it was “crucial” to have the ceremony to honor the officers. William Farrington for NY PostAnother name added to the wall was that of Anastasios Tsakos, a 14-year department veteranwho was assigned to Highway 3 and struck by an alleged drunken driver in April while doing his job on the Long Island Expressway in Queens.
“Today continues the pledge we made to them, the same pledge we made to all the men and women on these walls,” Sewell said of the fallen. “The same pledge we make to every officer in our department today – that we will never forget.”
